The Feisean at 25 - new study highlights the benefits of Gaelic arts to young people
| The Feisean at 25 - new study highlights the benefits of Gaelic arts to young people | |
| 27 September 2005 Results from a new study into the Fèis movement and its influence over a number of issues relating to Gaelic, the arts and the Highlands and Islands was launched recently at Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s annual conference. The aim of the study, '25 years of the Fèisean' commissioned and paid for by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Arts Council, was to map out the story of people who have taken part in a Fèis or Fèisean, and to ascertain how their participation has influenced their life, their career, and crucially, their attitude to the Gaelic language. Its aim was to create a rounded picture of the movement and its people, 25 years on from its small beginnings on the Isle of Barra. The results of the study have been very positive and show that Fèisean have provided a positive enriching experience for the majority of participants – indeed the evidence from the surveys is overwhelming in this regard:
William Roe, chairman of HIE, said: “These results are extremely encouraging and are a testament to the work undertaken by those involved in the Fèis movement over the last 25 years. “The 61 per cent of respondents who reported that the Fèisean had a positive influence on their decision to return to the Highlands and Islands is a particularly remarkable figure which demonstrates that Gaelic language and heritage are assets to the region, helping to retain population which is a key aim of the HIE network. “This study shows that there are tangible economic and demographic benefits associated with our traditional heritage and we should look to build on the renewed sense of pride and of vibrancy amongst young people in the Highlands and Islands and help strengthen bonds between the people growing up in the area and their sense of place.” The survey makes a surprising point about the way the movement feeds and renews itself, it shows that one in five learners go on to take part in the Fèisean in another role, giving a very positive indication for the continuing sustainability and growth of the movement – and for Gaelic arts in general. Increased confidence, interpersonal skills, community cohesion and economic benefits were all recurring themes from respondents when questioned on how the Fèisean affected them. In many replies, respondents highlighted increased confidence in speaking Gaelic, and explained how their participation in Fèisean had directly opened up new experiences, like wider travel. It also highlighted the important social role Fèisean had played for participants. Many respondents mentioned the friends they had made at the Fèisean and some stated that their ability to deal with others had improved. Many people also highlighted the direct and indirect social benefits that the Fèis had brought to their communities and referred to economic benefits that they perceived as resulting from the Fèisean, including a boost to tourism, especially in remoter areas. Jim Tough, director of arts for the Scottish Arts Council, said: “The Scottish Arts Council is delighted to see this strong evidence of the powerful impact that the arts can have on the lives of young people. Beyond the sheer enjoyment and satisfaction of learning and playing, of singing and dancing, this research shows clearly how the arts play a huge part in other aspects of our lives. “The contribution the Feis has made to sustaining the Gaelic language and the local communities where they take place, and building the confidence of the young participants, is a story that we see repeated in so much of our cultural activities. We hope this gives encouragement to the Scottish Executive that its investment in the arts pays real dividends.” Lauren MacColl was 12 when she first attended a Fèis. At that point she was on the verge of giving up the classical violin. She is now the current titleholder of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and is studying fiddle and Gaelic song on the BA Scottish Music course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), as well as teaching fiddle to adults and children and teaching at Fèisean. Her overriding memories of the Fèis are the traditional music tuition and exposure to Gaelic. Lauren said: “Without the Fèis I wouldn’t have carried on the violin and I wouldn’t have any Gaelic.” Lauren is in no doubt at all that the direction her life has taken – and will hopefully continue to take - is directly attributable to the Fèis. She feels the Fèis movement can only expand. She said: “It’s great to see things going full circle, like myself and others teaching.” The original Fèis Bharraigh was held on the island of Barra in 1981 when a group of parents and other individuals became concerned that local traditions were dying out and that island children were not being taught traditional music in the context of formal education. Inspired by the success of this first Fèis, many other communities throughout the Highlands and Islands established similar events. These individual Fèisean are now corporate members of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the national development and support agency for Fèisean. Fèisean nan Gàidheal estimates that more than 4,500 young people currently participate in the 37 Fèisean that take place each year and create more than 450 tutor posts for 132 individuals. Arthur Cormack chief executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, said: “A Fèis is an opportunity for individuals to get together to develop skills in the Gaelic arts - song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments. Tuition is accessible and fun, but professional and effective. “The skills taught at Fèisean are a highly-valued aspect of the informal education of young people. Most importantly, the Fèis experience is valued by the young participants themselves, and they seem to use the skills learned in a practical way, and I am also encouraged by the large numbers who seem moved to progress to learning Gaelic. The Fèisean are seen by many as one of the most successful arts initiatives in Scotland.” | |